Clintons to ring in New Year in Times Square

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bill and Hillary Clinton will push the ceremonial button to signal the lowering of the giant illuminated ball in New York's Times Square this New Year.

The former president and his wife -- a U.S. senator from New York and President-elect Barack Obama's choice for Secretary of State -- will join New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in this year's festivities, event organizers said in a statement on Tuesday.

They will push a button at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday night, starting the 60-second countdown that is part of the annual celebration in New York City's signature square.